2011 NBA Lockout Sim Features

Each Wednesday until the beginning of the NBA's abbreviated season, WhatIfSports.com's NBA simulation engine will simulate the previous week's unplayed games, using the NBA's actual 2011-2012 pre-lockout schedule. The NBA simulation includes cumulative standings updated each week, a game of the week, a player of the week and statistical leaders.

The statistical inputs to the NBA simulations are based upon analysis of each team's roster, depth charts and statistically-based player rankings. Rosters reflect all transactions prior to the lockout and rookies are based on players of statistical equivalence.

Just when the NBA was at its darkest point, the lockout threatening to cancel the entire season amid a quagmire of courtroom litigations, the players and owners reached a compromise to salvage the 2011-12 campaign. A 66-game season is set to begin on December 25th.

It's a Christmas miracle!

In the meantime, we'll continue our NBA lockout simulation, revealing the previous week's results every Wednesday. Finally, on December 24th, we'll simulate the remainder of the pre-lockout schedule and announce end-of-season superlatives such as MVP, Rookie of the Year and All-NBA teams.

NBA Week 4: December 7 - December 13

Chris Paul'sNew Orleans Hornets are 9-10, placing them in last place in the ultra-competitive Southwest Division. Paul ranks fourth in the league in assists, averaging 11.3 per game, and his 2.4 steals are an NBA-best, but he continues to decline in the scoring column. In the 2008-09 season, Paul averaged a career-best 22.8 points per game. The following year, he only managed 18.7 per contest, and finished averaging just 15.9 last season. The trend continues this year, with Paul scoring 14.8 points per game.

The Indiana Pacers have strung together five victories and improve to 11-11 on the season. While in second place in the Central Division, they still sit seven games behind the 17-3 Chicago Bulls. The offseason roster addition of Indianapolis native George Hill, acquired from the San Antonio Spurs in a draft-day trade for rookie Kawhi Leonard, has been beneficial for the Pacers. The versatile Hill is able to relieve both Darren Collison at the point and Mike Dunleavy at shooting guard. He's averaging 8.2 points per game and has connected on a career-best 44.4 percent of his three-point tries.

A strong third quarter put Los Angeles in front 82-69. Despite a furious rally, the Heat were never able to close the gap and fell just short. For the Lakers, the 110-108 victory ended a two-game skid, while snapping the Heat's three-game winning streak in the process.

Bryant, the NBA's leading scorer, was held in check, tallying 21 points on 7-for-20 shooting. Andrew Bynum controlled the paint with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace each chipped in 15, and last season's Sixth Man of the Year, Lamar Odom, contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists off the bench.

James led all scorers with 29 points, adding six rebounds and five assists. Wade filled the stat sheet with 23 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals, but also turned the ball over six times. Bosh was the only effective low-post player for the Heat. His 17 points and 10 rebounds looked robust in comparison to frontcourt mates Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony and Erick Dampier, who combined for six points and 10 rebounds.